[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22874]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 15, 1994]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

 

Training Program With the Newly Independent States: Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, 
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

action: Notice--request for proposals.

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summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Division of Russia/Eurasia of 
the United States Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural 
Affairs announces a competitive grants program. Public or private non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 
501(c)(3) may apply to develop training programs in (1) local 
government and public administration, (2) business administration and 
business development, (3) rule of law, and (4) independent media 
development for the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, 
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the 
program cited above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act and the 
Freedom Support Act.
    Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Application Package. USIA projects and 
programs are subject to the availability of funds.

announcement name and number: All communications with USIA concerning 
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number 
E/PN-95-16.

dates: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on Wednesday, November 
30, 1994. Faced documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked on November 30, 1994 but received at a later date. It is the 
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received 
by the above deadline.

for further information contact: Office of Citizen Exchanges, Russia/
Eurasia Division, E/PN, Room 216, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel: 202-619-5326, fax: 202-619-4350, 
to request an Application Package, which includes more detailed award 
criteria; all application forms; and guidelines for preparing 
proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the proposal 
budget. Please specify USIA Program Specialist Ruth Leeb on all 
inquiries and correspondence. Interested applicants should read the 
complete Federal Register announcement before addressing inquiries to 
the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Russia/Eurasia Division or submitting 
their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, Russia/Eurasia Division may not discuss this 
competition in any way with applicants until after the Bureau proposal 
review process has been completed.

addresses: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Application Package and send only complete applications to: U.S. 
Information Agency, Ref.: E/P-95-16, Office of Grants Management, E/XE, 
Room 336, 301 4th Street SW., Washington, DC 20547.

supplementary information: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing 
legislation, programs must maintain a non-political character and 
should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American 
political, social, and cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be 
interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including 
but not limited to race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-
economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle.
    Overview: USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth 
of democratic institutions in the NIS. The main areas are local 
government and public administration; rule of law; business management; 
and media.
    The projects may include: internships; study tours; short-term, 
non-technical training; consultations; and extended, intensive 
workshops taking place in the United States or in the countries listed 
in this announcement.
    We encourage applicants to design creative training programs aimed 
at non-English speakers both for in-country as well as for U.S.-based 
training projects. USIA is interested in proposals whose designs take 
into account the need for ongoing sharing of information and training. 
Examples include: ``train the trainers'' models; the creation of 
indigenous training centers; plans to create professional networks or 
professional associations to share information.

Note: While this competition may fund programs in which American 
universities work with NIS counterparts, it is not intended to be a 
university linkage program. Such programs are funded by USIA's 
Office of Academic Programs (E/A) and proposals whose purpose is to 
exchange faculty or otherwise support direct academic links should 
be submitted under the E/A RFP for the University Linkage Programs.

Local Government and Public Administration

    USIA is interested in proposals for training programs that foster 
effective administration of local and regional governments.
    Programs in Public Administration for Kazakhstan will not be 
accepted.
    Proposals are encouraged for the following themes/topics which have 
been requested by USIA's posts in Ukraine and Russia:
     Russia: Projects that build the capacity of local training 
institutions and that use Russian language materials are strongly 
encouraged. Proposals that show support from local administrations in 
Russia--city or oblast--will receive priority. USIA is particularly 
interested in exchange programs designed for regional legislators. A 
principle preoccupation of Russian lawmakers at the moment is the 
relationship between national and regional governments and the division 
of power between them. Programming that takes place in the United 
States for these local officials should include meetings and 
discussions in Washington, DC and in state capitols. Programs that 
emphasize the practical ramifications of a federated system of 
government will receive particular consideration. Proposals should be 
very specific, emphasizing concrete, tangible results that leave 
something behind in Russia once projects are completed.
     Ukraine: Priority will be given to programs on themes such 
as: setting up a civil service and the concept of merit-based 
recruitment; the relationship between government and business; how to 
create a business-friendly environment through local laws and 
practices; combating corruption in law enforcement officials; 
governmental budgeting processes; taxation; privatization of government 
services; models of local government, including city manager, city 
council, county government; regional planning at multi-city, multi-
county level; and administration of civic organizations such as library 
school boards, community centers. Ukrainian partner institutions might 
include the Institute of Public Administration in Kiev, the Lviv 
Management Institute, the International Management Institute in Kiev, 
or similar institutions.

Rule of Law

    For all NIS countries, USIA is interested in proposals for 
parliamentary exchanges that offer a substantive professional visit to 
the United States for groups of elected legislators and their staffs, 
at both national and regional levels. The focus of these programs 
should be essentially political in nature since other U.S. Government 
funders are providing technical assistance to NIS parliaments. Programs 
can be designed around a specific theme (e.g., budget and finance, 
legislative and parliamentary procedure, oversight of law enforcement) 
or can serve as a vehicle to introduce leaders of NIS parliaments to 
U.S. Congressional leadership. Establishing contacts with U.S. Members 
of Congress is a major goal of the program. Proposals for groups 
composed of deputies or a combination of deputies and professional 
staff are acceptable, but mixing of local and national officials in one 
group is not encouraged (unless a compelling program rationale is 
given). Visits to state legislatures in the United States are 
encouraged. Particular care must to be taken to coordinate participate 
lists with the American Embassy in the given NIS country. In general, 
the American Embassies will issue the formal invitations to 
parliamentarians to participate in a given program.
    For Russia, USIA is interested in programs in civics education that 
focus on the role of citizenry in fostering good government and the 
importance of ethics in government. Seminars in Russia and the 
development of materials in Russian are encouraged.
    For Ukraine, USIA is interested in programs that offer training in 
the administration of local courts.

Business Administration and Development

    USIA will consider projects in Business Administration and 
Development for all NIS countries except Russia and Kazakhstan. 
Preference will be given to projects in Ukraine and the Central Asian 
countries.
    USIA's definition of business development and administration is 
broad. It includes: small business development, economic privatization 
and agri-business development, including food distribution systems or 
the role of family farms. USIA is interested in projects that 
strengthen university business departments and provide management 
training for people already in the work place. In addition, the 
following USIS posts have expressed interest in the following specific 
themes:
     Ukraine: Proposals are encouraged on the following themes: 
Business ethics; entrepreneurship; how to start a small business; how 
to promote business; and business curriculum development.

Independent Media Development

    USIA is interested in media training proposals that focus on 
journalistic training, management of media organizations and foster 
independent media. Journalistic training in basic skills and concepts 
could include: effective writing, investigative reporting, objectivity, 
the clear labeling of editorials and opinion pieces, intellectual 
property issues and ethics.
    Media management training (both print and electronic) should focus 
on management of media as a business: management techniques, desk top 
publishing, advertising, marketing, distribution, personnel, public 
relations, and the financial benefits and pitfalls of journalistic 
advocacy. USIS posts in the following countries have indicated their 
priority themes:
     Russia: Special consideration will be given to media 
training projects that offer U.S.-based internships for Russian 
journalists and media managers. USIA is interested in proposals that 
employ an open competition mechanism in Russian to select participants. 
Interested organizations should have experience placing both 
journalists and media managers in internships in the United States.
     Georgia: Proposals in media training that include a U.S.-
based internship for six to eight weeks for print and TV journalists. 
The participants would be selected directly by the U.S. Embassy.
     Kazakhstan: USIA is particularly interested in proposals 
that focus on the business of media. There are many independent media 
outlets in Kazakhstan that are trying to make the transition to a 
market-driven news business, and the Agency is interested in proposals 
that promote the idea of journalism as a business. Training programs in 
news reporting, television production and the ethics of journalism are 
also encouraged. Priority will be given to proposals that contain both 
in-country and U.S.-based programming. Programs for non-English 
speakers will be given priority.
     Ukraine: The following topics have priority: ethics in 
journalism; straight news reporting; marketing and advertising in print 
and broadcast media.
     Kyrgyzstan: Media proposals for Kyrgyzstan will not be 
accepted in this competition.
    Guidelines: Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please 
refer to program specific guidelines in the Application Package for 
further details.
    Proposed budget: Organizations must submit a comprehensive line 
item budget based on the specific guidance in the Program and Budget 
Guidelines sections of the Application Package. Proposals for less than 
$200,000 will receive preference.
    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.
    Applicants are invited to submit an all-inclusive budget as well as 
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or 
activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them 
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they 
do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Application Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be 
reviewed by the Agency contracts office, as well as the USIA Office of 
East European and NIS Affairs and the USIA post overseas, where 
appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the 
General Counsel or by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at 
the discretion of the USIA Associate Director for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant awards resides 
with the USIA grants officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to Agency mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    5. Cross Cultural/Area Expertise: Proposals should reflect the 
institution's expertise in the subject area and should address specific 
areas of concern facing countries involved in the project. 
Additionally, projects should show evidence of sensitivity to 
historical, linguistic and other cross cultural factors and should 
demonstrate how this sensitivity will be used in practical aspects of 
the program, such as pre-departure orientations or briefings of 
American hosts.
    6. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through 
documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing past 
and/or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of 
diversity within both the organization and the program activities.
    7. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    8. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of 
Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    9. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which insures that 
USIA supported programs are not isolated events.
    10. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. USIA recommends that the proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. Award-receiving 
organizations/institutions will be expected to submit intermediate 
reports after each project component is concluded or quarterly, 
whichever is less frequent.
    11. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
    12. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.
    13. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and 
overseas officers of program need, potential, and significance in the 
partner country(ies).

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
the part of the Government. The needs of the program may require the 
award to be reduced, revised, or increased. Final awards cannot be made 
until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed 
through internal USIA procedures.

Notification

    All applicants will be notified of the results of the review 
process on or about March 15, 1995. Awards made will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: September 9, 1994.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-22874 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M